Well…it’s almost the New Year…so swallow the slight exaggeration …in the NEW YEAR…THROW OUT THE OLD!
…Let’s start with what really touches the hearts of StL sports fans—MLB Baseball. First compare it to some of the other major sports…In NHL, NFL, NBA—where substitutions are numerous & continuous. Players go in & out w/o hesitation. The best players generally are playing in the final moments of each game/match. Maybe that’s why in 2022, the NFL has 46% of their games being won/lost by 7 or less points (1 TD & the automatic PAT) for the 2022 season. In the MLB, there’s 26% of the games were won by 1 run in 2022.
…I considered many types of Change for the MLB..I considered a) free substitution for field players –in & out but remaining in the same original batting spot b) permitting pitchers to come in & out & coming back into the game in a different inning. C) allowing the manager to change his lineup each inning…. But they all seemed to be too radical.
…THROW OUT THE OLD!! The intent is keep baseball with its unique style but raise the level of excitement in the 9th with more action &excitement. Sooo… I’d like to see the MLB let the manager, at the start of the 9th inning, take out a new lineup card for the 9th inning 10,11th innings. He could keep the original order but jumble it around (probably putting his top 3 batters 1-2-3 in the order, or bring in new players or players who had already exited could reenter. Those players could reenter for the 9th inning & beyond. This way we’d see the best players from both teams competing in the 9th inning—the MOST important inning of this game. The “Closer” would now have to face the best of the other team…not just any 3 batters. Think of the excitement! Look @ the Cards of 2022…. Arenado, Goldschmidt, Albert could be 1-2-3 in the 9th. How thrilling would that be? If the game is still tied after 11 innings, same procedure of a new lineup in the 12th inning as the 9th.
…THROW OUT THE OLD!! At ANY time of the game, the DR (designated runner) could enter the game once an inning to run for a batter. The largely ignored stolen base is an exciting play.
….THROW OUT THE OLD… in college basketball, once the foul limit is reached on team A of a half, Team B would have the option of 2 shots or 1 shot & the ball back again. Those repeated dull trips to the foul line are about as exciting as watching ice cream melting on a hot day.
….THROW OUT THE OLD…. As long as the NCAA-F allows these horribly one-sided non-conference football games, if a team A gets a lead of 28 pts or more in the 4th quarter, a running clock is used to shorten the pain…oops game. I’ve been on both sides…at that point, neither is too satisfying.
…THROW OUT THE OLD baseball quiz Time. This pitcher went 81-27 in a 4 year stretch, with a 2.48 ERA and averaged 354 strikeouts , won all 4 Cy Young awards during that time and he was 35-38 years old during these achievements. Write down your guess…answer at the bottom.
….THROW OUT THE OLD….Since the NFL & NCAA kickers generally put the ball into the endzone…abolish the Kickoff. After a TD score by the opposing team, team B should get the ball on the 30 yard line. If a team A is behind in the 2nd half by 20-27 pts after a TD, team B gets the ball on the 40 yard line (instead of the 30 yd line on a KO into the end zone). If the lead becomes 28-36 point lead, it goes out to the 50 yard line. Injuries on Kickoffs have become a major concern…why take the chance when a game is so one-sided?
…..THROW OUT THE OLD….My own lack of soccer participation as a youth has stymied my interest in the sport. However, watching the World Cup Championship Match was terrific. Great balls skills on the pitch by seemingly ALL of the players of both teams. Their deft passing, anticipation of teammates movements & ball control were truly a spectacle to watch. I must admit though, their embellishment on contact from the opponents rivaled the actions of WWE wrestlers at times. When Argentina went up 2-0, I thought it was all over! THROW OUT THAT OLD IDEA… France came back with some dazzling passes and 2 quick goals by Kylian Mbappé. He would score on a PK in 79’ and would add another goal in 81’. France seemed to have the momentum through much of the later part of the 2nd period. However, Lionel Messi would add another goal in 108’. Kylian Mbappé added the equalizer in 118’ via PK. The game would go to PK’s where Lionel Messi led Argentina to the World Cup Championship victory.
….THROW OUT THE OLD is Deion Sanders approach. Forget about adjusting to the current players. Arriving at his new spot at Colorado, (what’s the over/under that I’ll be 4 years?) Sanders didn’t exactly follow the normal script about greeting his new players in Bolder, Co. In his meet & greet it sounded like this, ““We got a few positions already taken care of, because I’m bringing my luggage with me — and it’s Louis [Vuitton]. Okay, it ain’t gonna be no more of the mess that these wonderful fans, the student body, and some of your parents have put up with … for probably two decades now. I’m comin’ and when I get here it’s gonna be changed. So I wan’t y’all to get ready, to go ahead and jump in that portal, and do whatever you’re gonna get, because the more of you jump in, the more room we make, because we’re bringing in kids who are smart, say that, tough.” Sanders who coached @ Jackson State. I’m assuming that Kevin Coleman (SM), who was 3rd on Jackson State in pass receiving yards, will move with Neon Deion to Colorado.
…THROW OUT THE OLD….the Baseball Quiz Answer is Randy Johnson.
…THROW OUT THE OLD… well, this wraps up 2022 Sports Buzz coverage. Thanks so much for YOUR reading of the Sports Buzz. Prior to this Buzz, I’ve had over 41000+ readers thus far, averaging 829/Buzz in 2022. Please pass the word about the Buzz to your relatives/friends! Merry Christmas!! Happy 2023! See you again in January 2023!! Bob
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